Michigan tops ND in bash-full clash

COLLEGE BASEBALL

COLLEGE BASEBALL

May 14, 2008|FORREST MILLER Tribune Staff Writer

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. -- This was billed as the 14th annual Baseball Bash, and Michigan out-bashed Notre Dame, 15-12, Tuesday night. The Wolverines collected 22 hits, including four home runs, while handing Notre Dame its third straight defeat. Michigan bolted to a 7-0 lead as Irish starter Eric Maust lasted only 1?254-240? innings. The Irish had strong relief, particularly from Evan Danieli, but the defense continued to struggle. Four Notre Dame infield errors and six stolen bases helped Michigan to the victory. Two of the errors were particularly costly. Notre Dame trailed 7-4 and Danieli retired the first two batters he faced in the third inning. But a misplay by second baseman Jeremy Barnes and a dropped ball by first baseman Evan Sharpley set the stage for a three-run homer from Nate Recknagel, his 21st of the season. He had hit a solo homer in the first inning. Alan Oaks hit a three-run homer in the second and Kevin Cislo a two-run inside-the-park shot in the ninth. Notre Dame closed to 10-9 in the fourth inning, but Michigan coach Rich Maloney brought in left-hander Jeff DeCarlo to start the fifth. The Irish offense was dead until the ninth inning when Matt Scioscia singled and Barnes hit a two-run homer, his eighth of the season. Notre Dame went on to bring the potential tying run to the plate, but could not score again. "We swung the bats better tonight, hopefully we can build on this,'' said Notre Dame coach Dave Schrage. "Danieli was very sharp, it's too bad we couldn't play some defense behind him.'' Thirteen of Michigan's 22 hits and eight of the 14 RBIs came with two out. Schrage shuffled his lineup, giving freshman Mike Scioscia his first career start at the designated hitter in the No. 4 spot, moving the slumping Evan Sharpley down to No. 8. The switch worked well. Scioscia had three hits, a walk and a strikeout. Sharpley hit his 11th homer of the season, a two-run blast to left field in the third inning. Michigan, ranked 17th, is 23-4 in the Big Ten and has already clinched the conference title despite having a four-game series remaining against Northwestern this weekend. The Wolverines will host the conference tournament starting next Wednesday. Notre Dame flies to Tampa today for the final three-game Big East series starting Thursday against South Florida. The Irish will move across the bay to Clearwater for the Big East tournament starting Tuesday. MICHIGAN 15. NOTRE DAME 12At Comstock Park, Mich. Michigan 163 002 012 -- 15 22 1 Notre Dame 044 101 002 -- 12 15 4 Kolby Wood, Travis Smith (3), Jeff DeCarlo (W, 2-0), Tyler Burgoon (9), Michael Powers (9, save 4); Eric Maust (L, 6-2), Evan Danieli (2), Steve Mazur (7), Tony Langford (8), Kyle Weiland (9) and Sean Gaston. 2B: Adam Abraham (M), Jeremy Barnes (ND), Greg Sherry (ND). HR: Nate Recknagel (M) 2 (21), Kevin Cislo (M, 1), Alan Oaks (M, 6), Jeremy Barnes (ND, 8), Evan Sharpley (ND, 11). Umpires: Mike Duffy, Joe Yonto, Bruce Doane. Records: Michigan 39-11, Notre Dame 33-16-1). Attendance: 2,880.